Fluid supply



April 13, 1937. y J* TAYLOR 2,076,797

FLUID SUPPLY Filed April 24, 1955' 4 Sheets-Sheet l /os NVE'NTR April 13, 1937. 1 TAYLOR 2,076,797

FLUID SUPPLY Filed April 24, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN1/EN TUE April 13, 1937. J, L, TAYLOR 2,076,797

FLUID SUPPLY April 13, 1937.

J. L. TAYLOR FLUID SUPPLY Filed April 24, 1955 4 SheetS-Sheet 4 Patented Apr. 13, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in a fiuid supply, and an object of the invention is to generally improve the construction and operation of devices of this class.

A further object is to provide a device which will produce a mixture of a liquid and a gas, such for example as oil and air.

A further object isto provide a novel method of producing such a mixture. lo A further object is to provide such a device which will operate independently of heat.

A further object is to provide such a device which will operate to produce such a mixture by purely mechanical means.

More specifically, an object is to provide for atomizing the liquid used in such a manner that it will remain in suspension in the gas substantially permanently, and in any event long enough to be utilized in its suspended state.

2o A further object is to supply a spray nozzle capable of forming a spray of this character.

A further object is to provide a system for the use of such a nozzle.

A further object is to provide in such a sys- 25 tem means for supplying the nozzle with fluid.

A further object is to provide such means which are capable of caring for unavoidable leakage and condensation within the apparatus.

vA further object is to provide such a device 30 which is particularly adapted to furnish fuel and air mixtures for combustion purposes` A further object is to provide for introducing moisture into the air supply.

A further object is to provide for a convenient 35 power supply for the apparatus.

A further object is to provide for readily and accurately controlling the proportions of fuel and air in the mixture.

A further object is to provide for automatical- 40 ly controlling the pro-portion of moisture in the mixture.

A further object is to provide for automatically controlling the proportions of fuel and moisture in the resulting mixture.

A further object is to provide for the use of certain auxiliary devices or appurtenances where desirable for special purposes, and further objects and advantages will be apparent from the fol- 50 lowing specification and accompanying drawings,

in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation'of an embodiment of the invention shown attached to a known type v of internal combustion engine, parts of the appa- 55 ratus being broken away to show the interior.

4 4 of Fig. 2. 5

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the fuel pump shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a front end elevation of the same. Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view on the line 1 1 of Fig. 5. 10

Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 8--8 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 9 is a similar view taken on the line 9 9 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 10 is a sectional detail taken on the line 15 |0-I0 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 11 is a detail view of parts indicated in Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view on the line I2-I2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view on the line I3-l3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 2 showing a modification of the mixing chamber structure.

Fig. 15 is a sectional view on the line |5-I5 of Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing a further modification of the mixing chamber structure.

Similar reference characters have been applied to like parts throughout the specification and the several views of the drawings.

As shown in Fig. 1 the invention comprises my novel atomization fuel supply system generically designated by numeral I0, and it is shown for convenience inexplaining its operation and advantages as installed in operative connection with an engine of the type generally used inlindustry, motor vehicles, motor boats, aircraft, and the like, and generically designated by numeral Il, the engine being indicated in dotted outlines I2--|2. The system is to be understood to be applicable to othertypes of engines than that shown, or to other purposes than supplying fuel to engines, and infact it is not to be iconsidered to be limited in applicationv to any type of engine, or in fact in any manner except as defined by the subjoined claims.

The present illustrative embodiment includes a l spraytype carburetor, herein termed themixing device i3 Acommunicating as shown with the intake passage I4 of the engine, anda fuel pump l5 connected to supply iiuid to the mixing device l'3. The pump is driven from any convenient 55 source of power, in the present instance the power being taken from the engine itself through the customary fan belt I6, and fan shaft |1, the pump o being mounted for convenient access alongside 5 the engine Il as for example by screws Il' engaging a flange I2' iixed with or constituting part ofthe engine.

'I'he mixing device i3 is herein shown as installed in an up draft" position, but it is to be l understood that it can equally well be arranged in a down draft position, that shown being chosen merely for convenience. The mixing device is 'connected at its upper end by appropriate means such for example as the ilanged union I3 to the l5 intake passage I3 `by means of `screws or other suitable means 20, Fig. 2. The mixing device comprises a closed, or substantially closed chamber generically designated by numeral 2li', Figs.

2 and 3, the chamber having an apertured par-` tition 2| disposed in the lower part thereof, an atomizer nozzle 22 extending upwardly through the bottom of the chamber and terminating preferably'between the apertures of the partition 2|.

Nozzle 22 may be supported in any suitable man- Y 25 ner, but is shown as extending through a boss y 23 fixed with the bottom of the chamber, the nozzle having a anged union 24, Fig. 4, fixed as by 'screws or the like 25 with Koss 23. Fluid sprayed or atomized by the nozzle 22 may accordlngly be picked up by air or other gas circulating through the chamber 2li', the air finding its way therein as follows:

In the embodiment disclosed air enters through a illter 26 of appropriate or well known type and passes through a duct 21 formed in a housing' generically designated by numeral 28, constitut- 'ing part of an air moistening or humidifying device. A valve 29 in the present instance of a segmental rotary type, controls ports 30 and 3|, opening the one and closing the other according to its rotated position. A portion of the air thus passes through port 30 and the remainder passes downwardly through a passage 32 and enters a body of reticulated, or absorbent material 33 passing upwardly therethrough and through port 3|, and meeting the air coming through port 3 0 in a passage 34.

Fluid for molstening material 33 may be supplied from any convenient source in the present 5o instanceshown as a pipe 35 communicating with a valve 33 controlled by a iloat 31 yin suitable manner to maintain a relatively constant liquid level in a chamber 33 into which material 33 depends to receive the moisture. Rotation oi' valve 23 will accordingly change the proportions of dry and moist air delivered through passage 34, and accordingly the amount of moisture in the air delivered to the engine.

Air from passage 34, passes into a passage or chamber 33 and part of it passes downwardly into a space 2|' beneath above mentioned partition 2|, passing up through apertures 2Ia about nozzle 22 to mix with the-iluid' spray discharged from the nozzle. The remainder of the air passes upwardly through a passage 43 to .mix with the carbureted air vdischarged from chamber 2li'. Passage 43 is controlled by a valve 43a in the present instance ofthe butterfly typeby which the relative proportions of pure and carbureted air delivered from the device may be Icontrolled. The carbureted air from chamber 23' passes upwardly through a regulating valve generically designated by numeral 4| intoa passage 42 from which it continues throughs safety screen 43,

and a heating coil 44, fromwhich it is discharged through a nozzle or venturi 45 into a mixing passage or discharge pipe 46, Pipe 46 is provided with a valve 41 which may be of any suitable type but is shown as'of the butterfly type; and l ber 20'.

tained in place in portion 4 lg by means of a cotter pin 4in or the like. Sliding of the rod into and out of the casing accordingly causes rotation of disc 4|a`and changes the amount of carbureted air passing into nozzle 45.` Rod 4|/ may be controlled in any suitable manner, and, together with valve 40a provides a method of carburetor adjustment permitting accurate control of the resulting fuel mixture.

Screen 43 is of suitable construction to prevent a possible back-fire from igniting the fuel in chamber 20'.

c Heatingy coil 44 comprises a coil of resistance material or the like 44a, Fig. 8, the successive turns of which provide space for the ilow of mixture therebetween, a conductor 44h supplying vheating current to the coil through a bolt or the like 44c insulated from metal contact by a bushing 44d, the bolt 44e passing into pipe 46, and connecting therein with an extended end 44e` of coil 44a.

Nozzle 45 may be of any shape or may have any characteristics which may be found desirable. the shape shown lin Fig. 2 being found to give 4good results, as do also the modifications shown CII in Figs. 14 and 16. The invention does not depend for `novelty upon the particular shape oi' these parts, and is` not limited to the illustrative embodiments shown and described,' or in any manner except as dened by the subjoined claims.

The embodiment of Figs. 14 and l5 is generally similar to that of Fig. 2 but in place of the nozzle 45 has a sleeve v46a xed in a portion 42,

and bridging the space 43, the sleeve being pro-4 vided witha plurality of ports 4517 for permitting gas ow from space 43 into intake passage 43.

A second sleeve 45e is rotatively fitted in sleeve 45a., and is provided with similar ports 45d which may 'register more or less with above mentioned ports 45h in various rotated positions of sleeve 45e to regulate the enective opening of the space 43. This gives a further method ofregulation oi' the proportions of the nal mixture not possible with the embodiment of Fig. 2. Sleeve 45c' relation to ports 46h to regulate the flow of` carbureted air into sleeve 45e. Disc 451' is fixed with a hub portion 45k which is in turn journaled on above mentioned shaft 45j, and the hubis connections may extend to any convenient point.

An arm 45m is fixed with shaft 45j for similar purposes.

It might be noted at this 'point that it is not necessary in the above described embodiments to regulate the output of nozzle 22 with extreme accuracy, the purpose being served if it atornizes sufficient fluid to maintain an over-rich mixture in the chamber 20', this richmixture being drawn in regulated amounts through the ports of disc 44a and diluted with fresh air from passage 40,

the amount of fresh air-being controlled by The valvesI 40a, 4Ia, and ,41 may for convenience be means such as valve 49a or sleeve 45c.

'during the operation of the device, but is providedI for heating the mixture to facilitate starting an engine connected to the device.

The modification shown in Fig. 16 is similarto the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 with the exception that the nozzle 45, instead of tapering at the top as shown in the prior embodiment has a flaring upper outlet or Venturi portion u. This gives somewhat different characteristics of operation from the other types, and is` found in certain instances to give superior operation. Such details as this, however, do not constitute the essence of the invention, the same being concerned with an entirely new method of supplying a iluid mixture, insofar as T- am aware. i

As above suggested the method does not depend upon heat, but in the illustrative embodiment it depends upon the action of a new type of atomizer nozzle of my invention, andvwhich in itself is the subject of a separate application, for

Letters Patent, filed March f25, 1933, Serial No.I

662,673 for A tomizer and of which this application is a continuation. This nozzle `(22in the present drawings) is supplied with fluid under relatively high pressure and is capable of reducing it to an impalpably fine mist or spray, so ne as to remain substantially permanently in sus-pension in air, the particles having no noticeable tendency to settle or coalesce into larger particles.

While the very fneness of the particles of fluid is instrumental in causing them to remain suspended in this manner', there is evidence to War: rant the conclusion that the particles, owing to the friction to which they are subjected in escaping ,from the nozzle or for other reasons, acquire anelectric charge of similar sign and consequently actively repel each other so long as this charge is not dissipated.

The resulting suspension may be treated and handled, and operates substantially as a perfect.

gas, the difficulties of condensation encountered in ordinary carburetors being conspicuously absent. The suspended fuel mixture is accordingly .throttled, diluted, and utilized asv above described without certain of ,the dimculties usually encountered, and with numerous advantages which will appear more fully below.

Nozzle 22 comprises a body portion 49, Fig. 2, which in the present instance isA substantially cylindrical, and is mounted in an upright position for convenience in the bottom Wall of chamber 20', the body having a suitable bore in which is slidably fitted a stem, plunger, or piston 50 having a head 5l which is yieldably maintained in a downward direction against a seat 52 formed on or fixed with body 49. The space formed between head 5I and seat 52 upon yielding of stem 50 constitutes the spraying orifice of the nozzle. Stem 50 is downwardly urged by a spring 53 acting against a nut 54 adjustably engaging a threaded extension 55 of stem 50, the nut being formed in the present instance at 56 for engagement of a Spanner, wrench, or the like, for ready adjustment thereof. A lock nut 51 engages a tapered extension 58 of nut 54 the extension being arranged to be compressed against the threads of stem extension 55 to prevent undesired displacement of nut 54. The whole is assembled in a bore 59 in body portion 49, the bore being closed by a cap or plug member 60, which is preferably readily removable. A sleeve portion 60a of body member 49 depends into bore 59, and acts as a stop to limit the upward movement of stem 50, above mentioned nut 54 engaging the end of the sleeve upon predetermined movement of the stem. The maximumA permissible opening of the spray orifice may thus be accurately determined by the setting of nut 54, and in practice-this opening is very small, for example on the order of quarter of a thousandth of an inch. The peculiar formation .of the nut 544 and the lock nut 51 permits relatively very accurate adjustment of this clearance as explained in the above mentioned co-pending case, and is in a measure responsible for the novel results secured by the atomizer.

The thickness of the sheet of fluid escaping from the orifice is preferably adjusted to be equal to or less than that of a natural lm of the fluid, such a film for example as that constituting the wall of a bubble formed of the iluid and freely supporting itself in air,

Fluid supplied to the atomizer from the pump which will be described presently is conducted to an annular chamber 6l in body 49 beneath head 5|, the fluid coming from the pump in a conduit which is connected at 62, a boss 63 or the like being provided on body 49 for this purpose. A suitable passage 64 leads upwardly from boss v|53 t chamber 6| through which fluid may nd access to the spray orifice. The seat 52 is formed of greater diameter than the plunger 50, and iluid pressure in chamber lill will accordingly have an unbalanced upward component of pressure on the plunger. A .high enough fluid pressure will thus cause upward movement of the plunger and opening of the orice, the pressure overcoming the force of spring 53 and the upward movement being limited by the stop sleeve 60a. A certain amount of fluid will unavoidably leak downwardly around plunger 50, finding its way eventually into' bore 59, from which it escapes through a Ipassage 59a communicating with a connection 65 provided to receive a discharge pipe or the like, which may be connected for recovering the escaped fluid, or otherwise disposing of it.

A connection 69 is provided in chamber 20' for the attachnent of a drain pipe when the device is used for down draft operation, there being an opening 69a leading therefrom into the interior of the chamber, it being understood that the device will work equally well in an inverted position, the humidfler, however remaining in the position shown, and the casing I3 being rotated relatively, thereto about passage 34. Owing to the disposition of this passage the humidifier rei5 tion bearings |84and |85 carry shaft 18.

mains vin satisfactory relation tol casing I8 whether the latter is in the position shown, or

reversed.

Pump l is driven as above noted from engine 5 I2, the pump having a shaft 18 driving ashaft 1| through a'. pinion' 12 meshing. with a gear 18, the pinion and gear being fixed respectively with shafts 18 and 1|. Shaft 18 carries a pulleyA 14 which is driven in the present instance from a 10 pulley 15 fixed with above mentioned fan shaft I 1 i by means of a. belt 16. Shaft v1I is suitably .lournaled in a shaft housing 11, to which isproperly secured a housing 18 for gears 18 and 12, 'an oil retaining closure 18 being provided to seal the space about shaft 18. VThe major portion of the pump is in the form of a cylinder block 88 providing a plurality of cylinders 8|, 82, 88, and 84. The cylinders have reciprocably ttedtherein plungers or pistons, 85, 86, 81, and 88, respec- 20 tively, the plungers being provided with suitable actuating means, in the present instance in the form offlat camI followers 88, and each plunger' has a spring 88 disposed about its respective cylinder and acting between a shoulder 8| in block 88 and a follower 88 to urge the plunger out of the cylinder. Shoulder 8| is the upper wall of a chamber 82 in block 88 in which cylinders 8| to' 84 are disposed, the cylinders in the present instance being formed separately fromv theblock and inserted therein subsequently. Actuating means for plungers 86, 81, and 88 are provided in.

the form of cams 88, 84, and 85, coacting withthe followers attached to the respective plungers, and" plunger 85 is actuated from 'a rock shaft 86. Fig. 7, which may be manually operated by means of suitable'connections or the llike engaging a lever 81 provided with an opening 88 for the purpose. Rock shaft 88 is journaled in suitable bearings 88 and |88 disposed in housing 11, and the shaftv 40 is provided with a flattened cam surface 8| engaging cam follower 88 on plunger 85, rocking of the shaft raising the plunger against the resistance of the` spring 88. Antifriction bearings |82 and |88 carry shaft 1|, and similar antifric- Closure 18 is held in place by suitable means such as screws |81, while housing 18 is maintained in place by similar screws |88. Shaft housing has a flange |88 engaging a suitable flange onblock 88, a gasket or the like I |8 being interposed to render the joint uid tight in familiar manner.

The housing and block are held together' by screws ||I, andjl.

The fluid, in its course through the pump is 55 controlled by check valves Aas shown particularly in Figs. 5. 6, and 7. The .arrangement of the valves for the several cylinders being the same in the present embodiment, only o ne will be described, since the varrangement of the others can a be readily ascertained therefrom.

A Fluid is supplied from a general supply tank not shown through a supply pipe I|2 which coxnmunicates with a passage I I8 formed in block 88 and constitutes a supply for cylinders 8|82, and

88, cylinder 84 being otherwise supplied as will presently appear.' Referring to Fig. '1, the fluidpasses downwardly upon the suctionstroke of the pump plunger 85 through a bore I4 in a bushing ||5, the bore being closed against flow in an upward direction by a ball or other valve member I I5 seated against the lower rim of the port opening and yieldably held thereagainst' by a spring |I8a seated against the upper end of theremovable cylinder 8|. 'I'he discharge stroke of the plunger assists spring I|8a to .force valve ||8 of cylinder 8|.

inder 84 passes through a valve which is iden- 70 against its seat, and prevent escape of iluid into the supply passage. The fluid, accordingly, passes .through a duct |I1 in .block 88 and upwardly through a port ||1a in a seat member I8 against which is seated a valve member in the form of a 8 ball I I8 yieldablymaintained against the seat by spring I |8a, the spring bearing upwardly against an apertured stop member |28 suitably fixed in' a bore [28a forming a housing for the valve parts. The bores |28a and |28b are closed by suitable 18 plugs, caps, or the like I2| andl |22." Fluidpass-` ing valve I8 entersfa'passage |28 from which it is finally delivered to nozzle 22.

To maintain a substantially steady pressure at the nozzle means are provided in the present l5 instance in the form of an accumulator having a cylinder |24 provided with a piston or plunger |25, the piston being forced upwardly by a memberv |28 urged by a spring |21 enclosed in and bearing against a housing |28 removably ilxed 20 with block 88. Fluid pressure in passage |28 acts through a passage |28, Fig. 5, and a port |88 o n the upper end-of plunger |25 and when, under the impulses of pump I5 it reaches a sufficiently high value, it depresses the plunger -25 against the resistance of spring |21, the plunger moving up and down to absorb any irregularity vin the delivery of the pump, and serving as ya momentary storage chamber for fluid for supplying the nozzle 22. Pump cylinders 82 and 3 83 also deliver into passage |28, and at certain speeds of .engine II it is conceivable that the rate of delivery might exceed the discharge capacity of nozzle 22 at the desired pressure, whereupon excessive pressure would be developed in the fluid' passages. Various means may be utilized to guard against such a contingency, but in the vpresent instance cylinder I 24 is provided with a relief port |82 which is normallyclosed by piston |25, but which is opened or uncovered v40 by the piston near the lirnitof the down stroke thereof. Spring |21 is chosen of a suitable strength to yield at a desired normal working pressure of fluid, and this pressure is never exceeded owing to the action of the relief port 45 as just described. Fluid finding its way into housing |28 either through port |82 or through the unavoidable leakage past the piston |25 passes into the shaft housing 11 through a duct y |33 in the present instance formed in block 88, 50 and is disposed of as will presently appear. 'I'he fluid is conducted from passage |28 to nozzle 22 through a pipe |84 which connects with the nozzle at 62 as above suggested.

Although the fluid sprayed into chamber 28' 55 does n ot condense to lany extent'on the walls of the chamber; or upon those of the connecting passage, there may be some accumulation of liquid on the walls of chamber 28 particularly where the spray contacts the walls, this-liquid eventually running down the same, a'nd nding its way through the openings 2| into space- 2|', from which it is drained through an opening |85, preferably threaded for connection of pipe |31, which leads, as particularly shown in Figs. 1 and 5,A into a portion of block 88 comprisingl the suction valve of cylinder 84, this valve being, as above explained identical with the valve I|I8 The fluid discharged from cyltical with valve |I8 of cylinder 8|, and returns through a pipe I 88 to the general supply tank,

or may be returned to the suction pipe ||2, or may be otherwise disposed of in suitable manner. A pipe |88 leads from connection 8l of nome. 75

It is understood that minor changes in -the` details of construction may be made Without departing from the invention, and that the same is l not limited to the details of construction disclosed. For example, plungers 85, 86, 81, and 88 are the duties each has to perform, plunger 85 being of small size to give a high pressure with a minimum of actuating force, Vplungers 86 and 81 being larger to deliver a larger volume under running conditions when plenty of power is re'- quired and available, and plungerv 88 being still larger to handle a large volumeof iiuid wherea. high delivery pressure is unnecessary Other expedients may be used to obtain this eiTect without departing from the invention. Similarly the spring loaded accumulator might be replaced with some other suitable means capable of giving a substantially constant pressure at nozzle 22 without departing from the invention.

The apparatus so far disclosed could be operated to supply a fuel mixture for an internalv combustion engine or forf other purposes, the

valve 41 serving to throttle-the iiow of mixture to the engine, the valve disc 4|, particularly in conjunction with valve 40a serving to control the quality, or richness of the mixture, and the valve 29 operating to control the amount of moisture in the mixture. These may of course be operated independently but it is usually de- 40 slrable to cause them to work together in some definite relation so that operation of thethrottle 41, for example, Will cause such adjustments of others of the valves as to maintain proper mixture conditions for various throttle settings. 45 This may be done in a number of ways, many of which are well known, but for convenience in illustration valves 29, 40a, and 41 are shown connected by suitable adjustable links.

Referring to Fig. 1, throttle valve 41 hasa 50 shaft |42 fixed therewithcarrying, outside of in-` take pipe 46 a lever arm |43 operable from an actuating rod |44 pivotally connected to the lever as particularly shown in Fig. 12, and a link |45 is connected to actuate valve 40a and 29. Valve I 55 40a has a shaft |46 iixed therewith carrying a lever arm |41 to"whiclr link |45 is pivoted, and asimilar link |48 pivoted to lever |41 actuates a lever arm |49 xed with a trunnion |50 fixed with valve 29.

60 The links are adjustable in effective length,

the construction being as follows: Throttle actuating rod |44 pivotally engages a bushing |5| journaled in a bore in arm |43 (Fig. 12), the

bushing having a bolt |52 extending therethrough- 65 and, through a slot |53 in link |45, va nut |54,

clamping the bushing rigidly with the link in shown of various diameters in accordance withprising a bolt |56, Fig. 13, rigidly iixed with the lever, and about which pivot both links |45 and |48. Any other suitable construction may be used at this point, that shown being simple and effective. Link |48 is adjustable relatively to lever arm |49, the construction being ysimilar to that used in connection with lever arm |44. A bush-- ing |51 is suitably journaled in arm |49 and clamped in engagement with'link 48 by means vof a bolt |58 having a nut |54 as above described providing a key portion |55 engaging a slot |59 formed in link |48.

bolts |52 and |58 therelatlons between the three valves may-be changed at will. narily connected for separate adjustment, but if desired it could be connected for operation from the above linkage in any suitable manner Without departing from the present invention. Also if desired appropriate connections could be made to the levers 451 and 45m-in the embodiment of Fig. 14 if it were desired to automatically operate the valves 45e and 457', all within the province of the present invention.

The regulation of the quality of the resulting mixture may be effected in other ways than by the various-valves in the air passages. For some applications this would be desirable and as illustrating a suitable alternative method a valve |34a, Fig. 14, of a needle or other suitable type is interposed in the liquid pipe |34 to control the flow of liquid to nozzle 22. By this means the proportion of liquid in the mixture can be directly regulated, either 'in conjunction with the regulation of the air passages or independently thereof. It is desirable that valve |34a be operated dependently with the main throttle valve 41, and for this purpose in the present instance it is shown mechanically connected therewith.

Throttle shaft |42 in this embodiment has a rearward extension and has iixed therewith a lever arm |34b actuating through a suitable pivot member |34c a link or the like |34d which extends downwardly as shown to actuate' through a lever arm |34a a stem member |34f of valve |34a.. Link |34d is provided with a slot |349 in which is adjustably clamped a bolt and its associated elements generically designated by numeral |3471. and preferably substantially identical with bolt |58 above described. The bolt and its associated elements form a suitable pivotal connection'between link |34d and lever, |34e, and one which when loosened may be displaced in slot |349' to change the relation between levers |34e and |3411. In the present instance lever |34e is clamped to stem portion |34f, the lever being bifurcated as shown and the halves' urged intoclamping engagement withn the stem by means of a screw |342'. The relation between the lever and the `valve elements mayl thus be changed as well as that between the lever and the link, so that substantially any desirable relation or ratio of movement between throttle 41 and valve |34a may be readily obtained.

With this arrangement the' amount of liquid sprayed may be adjusted to correspond properly with the amount of air admitted to the engine by the throttle 41, and the whole of the sprayed Mliquid will be taken up by the air stream. It is not necessary to spray an excess of liquid, and the wear on the nozzle 22, and the power necessary for pumping are reduced. With this arrangement one or another or all of valves 40a,

4|, 45j, or 45c may be eliminated, and this isv contemplated as within the scope of the invenv tion.

By suitably adjusting the f The operation' of the invention is conveniently described in connection with an internal combustion engine, although as above noted the sys- `tem of introducing a permanent suspension of a liquid into agas is applicable to other situations or uses, and all such uses are considered as within the scope of the invention except as limited by the claims. Whenit is desired to start the engine pump 8| is operated by means of the 10 control-or actuating lever 91 to build up a pressure in pipe |34, the fluid spraying from tha nozzle 22 in `exceedingly'flne particles; most or all o f which remain suspended in the air in chamber 2| forming .an easily ignited'explosive mix ture. The engine-is then turned over in the'usual L.

manner whereupon the suction in the intake pipe i 46 draws the mixture through valve 4|, nozzle 45, and past throttle valve 41 into the engine intake pipe I4, theinixture firing inthe engine and operating the engine in the conventional manner. As soon as the engine starts, its motion is transmitted through beltsili and 16 to the pump mechanism and operates pumps `82 and B3, which supply a continuous owof fluid for 25. nozzle 22, thereby maintaining lthe supply 0f suspended liquid in chamber 20', leakage and condensation being returned ,to the supply tank by pump 84. As the engine changes speed the pump changes speed also, and the proportions of the parts are such that the amount of fluid pumped is always in excess of the amountrequired by the engine, the amount permitted to go to the engine lbeing regulated by the throttle 41, and the quality of the mixture being controlled by the valves 40a and 29. A steady pres'- sure at noz'zle 22 is insuredby the storage of .iiuid in the accumulator cylinder |24, and this cylinder also serves to prolong the spraying somewhat after the operationof the hand pump 8|. 40 It has been found that a relatively highpe'rcentage of moisture can be introduced through the humidifier apparatus 33 etc. particularly when theV engine is under heavy loads, with conspicuous advantages as to capacity-and' economy of the engine, and the connection between'thel throttle 41 and the valve 28 permits full aldvantage to be taken of this fact. In practice the apparatus of the present invention has been found to permit the burning of relatively heavy fuel oils in engines primarily intended and de- `signed to use much lighter fuelsA4 such as gasoline and the like, and to do this with an increase in the capacity of the engine and a decrease in the amount of fuel consumed per unit of power developed.

The ab'ove being afull-and clear disclosure of an illustrative embodiment of the apparatus by which the above results and advantagesmay be realized, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States isi 1'. In a fuel supply for a gas engine the combination of a mixture inlet pipe, a throttle valve controllingthe flow' through said pipe, a mixair inlet for said chamber, a fuelsupply, an atomizer nozzle disposed to form a'dispersion of fuel in said chamber, a power driven pump connected with said nozzle and operable to supply fuel from said supply to said nozzle, an auxiliary air inlet positioned,to supply air to said mixture inlet pipe independently of'said mixing chamber, valve means arranged to regulate the flow of air through said auxiliary air inlet, and corinections operative to dependently actuate said throttle and said valve.

ing chamber communicating with said pipe, an'

2. In a fuel supply for a. gas engine the combination of a mixture inlet pipe, a. throttle valve controlling the iiow of mixture through said pipe, a mixing chamber communicating with said pipe, an air inlet for said chamber, a fuel supply, an atomizer nozzle disposed to form a dispersion of fuel in said chamber for mixing with said air, a power driven pump connected to pump fuel from said supply to said nozzle, a fuel control valve operative to regulate the flowof, fuel through said atomizer nozzle, and connections operative to dependently actuate said throttle and said 'fuel control valve.

, 3.- In a fluid supply a humidifier including an air inlet, and a.'humidied air outlet, and a humidifying conduit, means in said conduit for humidifying air passing therethrough, a pas- 'sageway for air directly from lsaid inlet to said outlet, and movable valve means positioned to partially intercept both said passageway and said conduit for dividing air entering said inlet as desired between said passageway and said humidifying conduit.

4. In a fuel supply for a gas engine the combination of a carburetor having a throttle valve controlling the iiow of mixture therefrom a humidifier including a humidifying conduit, means in said conduit for humidifying air passing therethrough, a passageway for air4 directly to said :carburetor independently oi' said humidifying conduit, valve means arranged for dividing air passing through said humidifier between said humidifying conduit and said passagewamand connections from said throttle valve for dependently operating said throttle valve and said valve means.

5. In a carburetor a nozzle casing having an outlet opening in one end and a nozzle supporting opening, said casing having an air inlet in one side directed substantially at right angles to said outlet opening, and a humidifier including a humidifying conduit and a liquid reservoir. said humidifier havinga substantially horizontal air outlet registering with said air inlet', and arranged for engagement therewith in various relative rotated positions whereby saidcasing may be applied to an engine with said outlet directed alternatively, upwardly or downwardly and support said humidifier with said vliquid reservoir in an upright position.'

6. In a fluid supply a humidifier including a substantially vertical conduit, a uid reservoir beneath said conduit and spaced therefrom to provide an opening, absorbent material in said conduit and extending across said opening into said reservoir, means for maintaining a supply of fluid in said reservoir, and means for causing a draft of air in at said opening and up through said, absorb'ent material.

7. In a fuel supply for a gas engine the com-- bination of a mixture inlet pipe, a throttle valve controlling the flow of a mixture through said pipe, a mixing chamber communicating with saidfpipe, an air inlet for said chamber, a fuel supply, an atomizer nozzle disposed to form a dispersion of fuel in said chamber for mixing with said air, a power driven pump connected to pump fuel from said supply to said nozzle, a fuel control valve arranged to regulate the flow of fuel l through said atomizer nozzle, and means del pendent upon the setting of said throttle for setting said fuel control valve in accordance with the setting of said throttle.

8. In a fuel supply for a gas engine the combination of a mixture inlet pipe, a throttle valve controlling the flow of mixture through said pipe,

a mixing chamber communicating with said pipe, an air inlet for said chamber, a fuel supply, an atomizer nozzle disposed to form a dispersion of fuel in said chamber for mixing with said air, a power driven pump connected to pump fuel from said supply to said nozzle, fuel control means arranged to regulate the flow of fuel through said atomizer nozzle, and means responsive to changes in the setting of said throttle and arranged to change the setting of said flows-regulating means. y

. JOHN LEONARD TAYLOR. 

